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By MarkMontereyBay - 13 Years Ago
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What battery are the Tbird owners using. Interstate apparently makes a "pure lead" replacement with vent caps leading to corrosion in and around the battery box and needs the cells routinely checked for water levels. The Tbird Parts outfits want a paltry 300 bucks for a sealed look-a-like, as does Batteries Plus. I am getting ready to fudge a Motorcraft into the Bird but it is going to look a little awkward.
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By GREENBIRD56 - 13 Years Ago
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This is a way - for sure not the only way....excuse all of the wire - I built my own harness out of underhood rated wire and it took some fit-up work..... 
One of the Mustang parts outfits..."Laurel Mt." (?) used to sell a '67 battery base and clamp kit for little money - like $15. I got the base, removed the riveted angle bracket for the '67 - built new base brackets to use the OEM bird holes in the firewall and fender liner. I used a master fuse too - made by "Blue Sea" a marine outfit - but now days you can get a similar unit from Summit or Jegs. http://www.laurelmountainmustang.com/products/1967-1970-mustang-battery-tray-kit
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
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I put a piece of 3/8" plywood in the bottom of the battery box so the sharp edges wouldn't cut into the battery case bottom, bought a $45 group 24F sealed battery, and a universal hold down. Certainly not original, but serviceable in a driver for little money.
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By PWH42 - 13 Years Ago
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John.............Where did you find a sealed battery for only $45 ?
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
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Paul: My local Rural King store, it's an Exide 60 month battery. They were out the day I was there, but they have a 72 month for about $10 more.
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By bird55 - 13 Years Ago
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Both In my 55 and 57 birds I have used interstate batteries with good success.
I can't read the # on the 57 batt. but it's close to the stock dimensions, looks correct, not a bad price, the# looks like? 01507501? It's rubbed off.
In my 55 I moved the Optima battery to the trunk. Gave me lots more room in the engine bay, as another option for you.
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By MarkMontereyBay - 13 Years Ago
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For the time being I am going John's way. Motorcraft BXT24 with a black ABS plastic or something similar plate under the battery to get it off the side edges of the box. New cables and some paint should make it presentable.
Bird55,
I like the trunk mount set-up but wonder about the long cable needed to get back to the starter. What gauge cable would be needed to minimize the resistance for that far? I will be doing the front power disc brake conversion soon and leaving more room for the master cylinder, lines, combo valve etc. would be nice.
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By bird55 - 13 Years Ago
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I bought the rear mount battery kit from summit or jegs, so that took some of the guesswork out of it. I think it is #1 size, but not sure.
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By gekko13 - 13 Years Ago
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Mark, good quality cable is readily available at most welding supply stores. I used 00 gauge (referred to as "double aught") stranded copper welding cable. Not cheap but low resistance, flexible and durable cover. These shops also have good quality terminals to complete the installation.
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By PWH42 - 13 Years Ago
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Thanks John,
We don't have Rural King stores in my area,but I can look at Tractor Supply.They all carry about the same products.If all else fails,there is a Rural King in my home town in Illinois and next time I'm up there maybe I can find that battery.
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By dbird - 13 Years Ago
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Mark, I'm using a group 24 with a homemade bracket in the trunk just about where Bird 55 has his. I think about 12 feet of 2 gauge wire and the starter spins fine. I did move the solenoid to the passengers side of the engine compartment to shorten the run and clean things up a bit. The trunk mount was pretty much forced by my decision to use a Thunderbird Brake Parts master cylinder/booster which takes up most of the space the original battery used.
Don
55 Thunderbird in California's Central Valley
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 13 Years Ago
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Paul: I don't think Tractor Supply handles Exide brand batteries, but any place that sells batteries would have the group 24 size, they are very common top post batteries. The 24 F series has the posts reversed, I use that one because the positive post goes toward the radiator and the posts are inboard with no chance of touching the underhood bracing.
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By PWH42 - 13 Years Ago
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John............Googling Exide shows that they have very few retail dealers anywhere.They primarily make batteries for other companies to sell under their own name.John Deere is one of these,so I think I'll go there and see if they have the sealed group 24.
The post positions don't matter to me as I have the battery in the trunk.I'd just like to find a reasonably priced sealed battery so I can do away with the vent hose I have to use.
Thanks for leading me to the Exide.
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By The Master Cylinder - 13 Years Ago
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Mark, I always use a Battery Mat under all of my batteries too protect the metal. Work great. Can be found at almost any parts store. Along with the little donuts to put on the posts I keep battery corrosion at bay. Can be cut to size for your battery box and best of all there CHEAP.  http://www.dccarcare.com/battery.html
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By BFOOTER03 - 13 Years Ago
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MarkMontereyBay (9/18/2011)
What battery are the Tbird owners using. Interstate apparently makes a "pure lead" replacement with vent caps leading to corrosion in and around the battery box and needs the cells routinely checked for water levels. The Tbird Parts outfits want a paltry 300 bucks for a sealed look-a-like, as does Batteries Plus. I am getting ready to fudge a Motorcraft into the Bird but it is going to look a little awkward.Mark, not sure what battery you were quoted for $300 at Batteries Plus but if you still need one as for one of these. SLI24 $89.99 (a group 24, dimensions are 10L x 7W x 9H) or a SLI34 (group 34, dimensions are 10 x 7 x 8). If thestore is using the Exide brand the battery will have caps and will require checking the water levels. If they are using the Deka brand the battery will be seald and not require checking the water. The Deka brand will still require to sit up right but to not require checking water levels. I would suggest part SLI34AGM as a AGM sealed version. It is $164.99 and comes with a 36 month free replacement. Its made in the USA and is in my opinion as a 17year employee of Batteries Plus way better than the optima. Bing
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By MarkMontereyBay - 13 Years Ago
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Bfooter03,
I called the Scotts Valley, Ca. branch of Batteries Plus a week or so ago and asked for a battery for 57 Thunderbird. It took him quite a while but came up with $189 or so if I remember correctly. I didn't make it clear in the previous post that Tbird parts retailers have the price of $300 or more plus shipping. I called another Batteries Plus store in San Jose a few minutes ago asking for the same and got a quote of $119 and could have it today. This I assume is the vented pure lead battery similar or the same as the Interstate. I put a Motorcraft 24 in the TBird yesterday. My cost was $93 plus tax with employee (former) discount at the Ford dealer.
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By Don Woodruff - 13 Years Ago
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National parts depot has concours correct batteries for abpot 150 plan for replacement in two to three years.
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By paul2748 - 13 Years Ago
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The correct battery for a 57 Thunderbird (and 56) is 29NF. Ford sells this size, it's a commercial battery. Less than 100.00 the last time I checked.
The E and F Birds used a bigger battery, can't remember the size.
Sears can get you the battery on special order. I believe that Interstate has this size.
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